What's Up, Up Here? Mar. 15-21

March 19, 2013

Stuart Brown, center, was the recipient of this yearâ€™s â€śManny Hirschel Award,â€ť which originated in 2002. Brown, who was regional director, district 316, for AYSO soccer, received the award from Sandra Atkinson, Area 2F Director. Coming on board as Brownâ€™s replacement, as if thatâ€™s possible, is Stuart Need (right). Photo/Submitted

Just when we thought everyone knew about us, more or less, here comes National Geographic, which named Mammoth among the Top 10 “emerging ski towns.” We’re not sure it that is a compliment or not. Reno’s on the list, too, although for us, it’s hard to think of Biggest Little Cityas a ski town. …

From the Dead Wrong in PublicFile: Because of an editing error, we carried the wrong pictureon P. 1 last week in a story about ski team coach Chip White. The error was corrected online and in the e-edition. Because of a reporting error, we misspelled the name of the former Rafters managerin the Feb. 22 edition. It should have been Bob Nock, not Knox. The Times very much regrets the errors. …

Anyone watch Hotel Impossiblethis past week? Good on ya, Schaubmayers,for letting everyone in on the history and vibe of the Alpenhof Lodge. …

With the town hard-pressed to find capable planners, it has signed on former planner Bill Taylorto do special projectson contract. Obviously, there’s not much of a learning curve. …

It’s a triple whammy! The Mammoth Timeswon three awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association’sannual Better Newspapers Contest for 2012. The contest is open to all CNPA members in California and all entries are judged by our California peers (Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, etc). It’s no secret that the Eastern Sierrais picturesque, which the CNPA contest reinforced. The MT took home wins in Artistic Photo, Sports Photo, and News Photo. …

Mammoth’s never-ending revolving doorkeeps on spinning, good times or bad. We’re sad to have to say goodbye to Sarah Anisman, Chris Sellinger, and their son Liam,Kristen and Daniel Venor, along with Cynthia Flemming. They’re ALL scampering downward to San Diego. …

Mammoth Mountain Ski Areahas joined up with “The Mountain Collective,” offering ski packages for next season that include Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Aspen/Snowmass, Alta Snowbird, Jackson Hole, and Whistler/Blackcomb. More details at

Springis not only in the air, it is also on the highways and byways, sez Caltrans, which this past week opened S.R 120 East(between U.S. 395 and U.S. 6) and S.R. 158South (June Lake Loop). Naturally, the highway openings are dependent on favorable weather. If we get a March/April/May surprise, Caltrans sez it’ll shut ’em down again, as per usual. …

We thought it was darned groovy to see a crew of “horizontal drillers” in town this past week, to start on the completion of the “Last Mile” segment into Mammoth as part of the Digital 395 project. Asked advice as to how to deal with altitude, we suggested LOTS of water. Replied one member of the crew: “Does beer count?” …

It’s not too early to start thinking about the Jazz Jubileethis July 10-14. Lina Myersreminds us that this year, which is the festival’s 25th, ticket operations have moved into the 21st Century, offering tix online, at www.mammothjazz.org/

Those were, in fact, record high tempsfor Mammoth, beginning on Wednesday, but the record wasn’t exactly mind-blowing. The old record was in 2007, after all. …

Over at the Edison Theatre, Julianna Olinkaand Shira Dubrovnerremind us that all the world’s a stage, and that March 20 is World Theatre Day.So get out there, on center stage, and do what you gotta do, we say. …

It has been two decadessince Mammoth has surveyed its people as to how we use energy: what type, how much, and so on. Now, with grant cash, the town is asking again in a Home Heating Contest, as denizens of Mammoth will find out in a postcard delivered to their post office box soonly.